Media Tom Aspinall says he was watching cro cop and implies his level of skill and that time period doesn't compare to modern mma, timestamp is 17:59

[KO Shotz]

Guys like Gane, Ngannou, Volkov would absolutely compete with that list. Not saying I'm picking all the current guys to win all those fights of course. So add in Jones and Aspinall and the current list is a bit smaller. There's a gap in the depth (like I said) but it's not the gaping chasm some make it out to be.

 

[Kevster]

Fuck me Pride guys are so overly sensitive.

 

[RoseHDCovington]

Fuck me Pride guys are so overly sensitive.

When people come onto an MMA forum and say things like "Fedor and Cro Cop would get absolutely handled by today's heavyweights", yet the best heavyweights of today are Curtis Blaydes and Gane, yeah expect some blowback. No one is saying Tom is overrated, in fact the opposite is being said by just about everyone. The fact remains, Tom has great power and speed in his hands. We don't know how he does in championship rounds. We don't know how he faces adversity, mainly because everyone he fights sucks and he breezed through them

 

[Superzorro]

Re: Volkov--he was dominating BB and got caught late. It happens. He just beat Gane (don't care what the judges said). He's a highly ranked guy. We can argue about what "elite" means but he's clearly one of the better HW's alive. Not a grappler no, but a seasoned vet who's been on the mat how many times and survived? But couldn't last a minute on the ground with Tom.

If you want more a skills breakdown on Aspinall, sure. He has big power like plenty of HW's. But unlike almost any other, he needs no windup to generate it. He throws short, accurate shots in tight spaces with timing and accuracy that we very rarely have seen with guys his size. If you think he "rushes in with reckless abandon"...I honestly don't know what to tell you. Go watch his KO's of Blaydes and Pavlovich again. He doesn't do even remotely what you're claiming. He lands counter shots on both as THEY come at HIM. A short 2 punch combo vs Pavlovich, a right hand counter over the top vs Blaydes. Both with handspeed that HW's aren't used to having to deal with. If you think that's him "not using his brain"...there really isn't much else to say. We see the sport very differently.

He’s not good compared to what I’m used to seeing. If he was, he would’ve become a champion in Bellator. And then the argument that he’s highly ranked… are we sure we want to use that? Rankings are suddenly legitimate now? That’s interesting. The same rankings that had Stipe higher than Aspinall when Jones vs Gane and Jones vs Stipe was made?
I don’t care when in the fight it was. All that height and reach for what exactly? He got iced by a journeyman. You shouldn’t be getting hit by artillery from fighters when you have dimensions like his (if you’re good especially if they’re a gatekeeper). Find me a good fighter that lost to Derrick Lewis that badly.

What you’re describing isn’t skill. It’s athletic ability. And the thing is, it’s easy to look like that based on the opponents that he’s faced. And I’m not saying he isn’t good. What I’m saying is we haven’t seen nearly enough of him to say that he’s as good as you’re making him out to be— to compare him to greats who have actually accomplished things.

And MMA fans have this primitive mindset that knockouts and finishes are the end all be all. They put excitement over substance. I’m just not one of those people. 1) The best fighters rarely ever fight like that and 2) they almost never do when it’s against another great fighter. I want to see Aspinall fight five rounds against an equally sized and aged opponent before I say he’s on the level of Fedor and Cro Cop, not the taco truck workers that he’s been fighting.

And no, I don’t need to read anymore novels with your embellished “analysis” of his fights. What he’s shown so far is the willingness to trade punches, because he knows he’s bigger, more powerful and faster than the other fighter. That’s it.

 

[OmegaRugal]

Aspinall did say it was a UFC fight, and Crocop became increasingly basic as his career went on for some reason. If you watch his old K-1 fights he's a more dynamic striker.

No takedown threat vs fear of the takedown

 

[Royce Greasy]

Cro Cop was a left handed southpaw with a powerful left kick. If he competed in modern era with the skill set he had in his prime he would most likely lose.

But I say but, if Cro Cop had fought in our modern era as a young man, he would had improved and adapted his skillset, and would do well in our era.

Old school fighters were tough, modern era males are a bit softer, if you gave old school fighters the knowledge and ressources of today, they would certainly outshine the modern fighers. If not the moden fighters would outshine them.

LOL please who in the current UFC has higher level striking than K1 Cro Cop, these arguments/takes are so braindead it's based off of total ignorance like well because it's 2025 and fighter A was active in the mid to late 2000's than he couldn't possibly hang with the killers of today, there's like no critical thinking going on there for one there aren't any K1 level strikers currently in the UFC I guess you could count Poatan but that's it so to really think that Gane, Blaydes, Tybura are on the level of striking of a prime Cro Cop is fukking delusional and no it doesn't matter that it's 2025.

Evolution in mma doesn't work in a linear straight line like most think, from 95 to say 05 is where most of the evolution took place, crosstraining, dieting, high level gyms were all a thing in the late 2000's now what you have current year are a bunch of athletes that are carbon copies of each other basically MT, BJJ so when they fight you get these boring sparring matches or just a complete cancelling out there is much less diversity in style so it's easy to prepare for. I'd argued things have regressed in the heavier weight classes as was just seen with Tybura vs Parkin if you really believe the likes of Fedor and Cro Cop couldn't compete with the current crop of fighters you're not that bright. Here's a reality check so in the mid 2010's Rizin had 2 HW GP's that featured Prochazka, Nemkov, Lawal the first 2 went on to become champs in UFC and Bellator yet during the GP's both lost one of which badly to King Mo mean while another GP was held where Cro Cop way past it beats King Mo and wins the GP, so to think a prime version of Mirko just couldn't hang with the weak HW division in UFC is laughable to me.


A lot of delusional modern UFC fans around nowadays imo I heard some idiot young guy yesterday who boxed claiming that boxing superior to wrestling, one on one a boxer could KO a wrestler before they even shot for a TD. Again LOL that's the effect from watching too much modern UFC which is entertainment not real fighting you would believe such a stupid thing, reality a wrestler would have your legs so quickly you wouldn't know what hit you, Devin Haney the retard was blabbering this BS also oh I'd hit you before you could even grab me lol, do these morons know this has already been tested multiple times and boxers got their asses whooped badly Toney, Bowen, Yuri Vaulin, Jimmerson, Milo Savage etc are people this fukking dumb.

 

[mkess101]

He’s not good compared to what I’m used to seeing. If he was, he would’ve become a champion in Bellator. And then the argument that he’s highly ranked… are we sure we want to use that? Rankings are suddenly legitimate now? That’s interesting. The same rankings that had Stipe higher than Aspinall when Jones vs Gane and Jones vs Stipe was made?
I don’t care when in the fight it was. All that height and reach for what exactly? He got iced by a journeyman. You shouldn’t be getting hit by artillery from fighters when you have dimensions like his (if you’re good especially if they’re a gatekeeper). Find me a good fighter that lost to Derrick Lewis that badly.

What you’re describing isn’t skill. It’s athletic ability. And the thing is, it’s easy to look like that based on the opponents that he’s faced. And I’m not saying he isn’t good. What I’m saying is we haven’t seen nearly enough of him to say that he’s as good as you’re making him out to be— to compare him to greats who have actually accomplished things.

And MMA fans have this primitive mindset that knockouts and finishes are the end all be all. They put excitement over substance. I’m just not one of those people. 1) The best fighters rarely ever fight like that and 2) they almost never do when it’s against another great fighter. I want to see Aspinall fight five rounds against an equally sized and aged opponent before I say he’s on the level of Fedor and Cro Cop, not the taco truck workers that he’s been fighting.

And no, I don’t need to read anymore novels with your embellished “analysis” of his fights. What he’s shown so far is the willingness to trade punches, because he knows he’s bigger, more powerful and faster than the other fighter. That’s it.

"Novels"? Your post is way longer than mine, bucko. And yes, being able to throw short punches with power in tight spaces that hurt people while NOT getting hit with their power shots is skill. Whether you think it is or not. You put my analysis in quotes while responding with "Derp he just trades punches". That means you truly don't understand what you're watching. Which is fine, it's not a crime but attempting to belittle me breaking it down is absolutely comical.

I didn't say he should be viewed the same as Fedor or Cro Cop YET. He hasn't accomplished what they did, of course. He has a ways to go, but of course no matter what he does and who he beats the nostalgia will override certain people's brains and they'll spend countless posts explaining why Kharitonov was such a huge win back in the day. I was around, I know what I was watching.

 

[Royce Greasy]

Another thing while I like Aspinall and believe currently he is the best HW the truth is whether people like it or not he beat 4 good fighters, he's far from tested never go full retard on someone who hasn't even went to decision once, Tom before UFC fought in the U.K regionals where the competition isn't high this is simply a fact so he destroyed a lot of opponents, UFC HW division in the last 6 years has been weak when I look back on Tom's fights in UFC I count 4 good opponents that's just reality, I don't see Tom staying undefeated for long just my opinion sooner or later he is gonna get tested and face adversity.

 

[Royce Greasy]

"Novels"? Your post is way longer than mine, bucko. And yes, being able to throw short punches with power in tight spaces that hurt people while NOT getting hit with their power shots is skill. Whether you think it is or not. You put my analysis in quotes while responding with "Derp he just trades punches". That means you truly don't understand what you're watching. Which is fine, it's not a crime but attempting to belittle me breaking it down is absolutely comical.

I didn't say he should be viewed the same as Fedor or Cro Cop YET. He hasn't accomplished what they did, of course. He has a ways to go, but of course no matter what he does and who he beats the nostalgia will override certain people's brains and they'll spend countless posts explaining why Kharitonov was such a huge win back in the day. I was around, I know what I was watching.

Once Tom loses which I see happening in the next year or two people on here especially will just say he wasn't any good, that's why mma fans are the worst.

Fedor is as good if not better than people claim because of the ridiculous streak against the best and not ducking people during his prime, it's also funny how they he's considered a can yet no one will shut up about him and he's always talked about non-stop or the new top fighter is compared to him gee I wonder why that is.

 

[mkess101]

Once Tom loses which I see happening in the next year or two people on here especially will just say he wasn't any good, that's why mma fans are the worst.

Fedor is as good if not better than people claim because of the ridiculous streak against the best and not ducking people during his prime, it's also funny how they he's considered a can yet no one will shut up about him and he's always talked about non-stop or the new top fighter is compared to him gee I wonder why that is.

What the fuck are you talking about? I can barely make sense of your reply.

Why are you replying to me with "people say" or "people will say"? Why do I care what ignorant people do and will say?

Tom likely won't lose in the next year or two. Anything can happen, but he's pretty clearly the best current HW. And why would I care if some morons don't understand how good Fedor was?

 

[Royce Greasy]

What the fuck are you talking about? I can barely make sense of your reply.

Why are you replying to me with "people say" or "people will say"? Why do I care what ignorant people do and will say?

Tom likely won't lose in the next year or two. Anything can happen, but he's pretty clearly the best current HW. And why would I care if some morons don't understand how good Fedor was?

It's pretty clear what I'm saying no need to be so dramatic like a middle aged woman suffering from PMS lol.

I stand by what I said Tom will lose in the next 2 years the only way I see he doesn't is if UFC doesn't give him fights, so many fighters now fight once a year if that. Tom is great in a very weak HW division which we have now, Spivac not very good, Pavlovich has confident issues, Blaydes is nothing special, Jones is old and past it basically given the title so ya the HW division sucks badly, someone very soon will come on the scene and beat Tom, Francis would have done it already had he not left for PFL.

 

[mkess101]

It's pretty clear what I'm saying no need to be so dramatic like a middle aged woman suffering from PMS lol.

I stand by what I said Tom will lose in the next 2 years the only way I see he doesn't is if UFC doesn't give him fights, so many fighters now fight once a year if that. Tom is great in a very weak HW division which we have now, Spivac not very good, Pavlovich has confident issues, Blaydes is nothing special, Jones is old and past it basically given the title so ya the HW division sucks badly, someone very soon will come on the scene and beat Tom, Francis would have done it already had he not left for PFL.

I'm sorry you aren't bright enough to understand the difference between confusion and drama. You replied to my post with "people will say" and I'm asking why you'd reply to me with that. Why would I care what some people may or may not say? And now instead of clarifying, you're being petty like a middle school girl that isn't getting her way.

You replied to me to tell me that in your brilliant mind you think Aspinall will lose in the next year or two. Great. I disagree. Is there anything else you want to add LMAO?

 

[Royce Greasy]

When people come onto an MMA forum and say things like "Fedor and Cro Cop would get absolutely handled by today's heavyweights", yet the best heavyweights of today are Curtis Blaydes and Gane, yeah expect some blowback. No one is saying Tom is overrated, in fact the opposite is being said by just about everyone. The fact remains, Tom has great power and speed in his hands. We don't know how he does in championship rounds. We don't know how he faces adversity, mainly because everyone he fights sucks and he breezed through them

This is a very reasonable take, sick of everyone acting like Tom is the second coming when he's really only beaten 4 good fighters so far they do this with every fighter that either holds the title or has a winning streak it's so idiotic.

 

[TRYHARD 2001]

they'll spend countless posts explaining why Kharitonov was such a huge win back in the day. I was around, I know what I was watching.

Serious question, are you saying beating Kharitonov back in the day, which neither CC nor Fedor did, was not a huge win?

 

[Royce Greasy]

I'm sorry you aren't bright enough to understand the difference between confusion and drama. You replied to my post with "people will say" and I'm asking why you'd reply to me with that. Why would I care what some people may or may not say? And now instead of clarifying, you're being petty like a middle school girl that isn't getting her way.

You replied to me to tell me that in your brilliant mind you think Aspinall will lose in the next year or two. Great. I disagree. Is there anything else you want to add LMAO?

No I understood your reply I just don't give a shit to clarify for you that's your own problem lol.

It's just part of my initial comment try not to take things so serious maybe sit in a room with some incents try meditation, main point was about how Tom is overrated.

 

[Royce Greasy]

Serious question, are you saying beating Kharitonov back in the day, which neither CC nor Fedor did, was not a huge win?

Exactly lol Kharitonov beat Werdum, Arlovski, Reem and many others but I guess because he is no longer competing that the whole of his career or accomplishments are irrelevant don't matter, yes Curtis Blaydes is so much better how about Tuivasa.

 

[mkess101]

Serious question, are you saying beating Kharitonov back in the day, which neither CC nor Fedor did, was not a huge win?

Sorry...I wasn't specifically referencing Fedor or Cro Cop when talking about Sergei. He's just a guy I remember watching that was fairly highly ranked. Was he a solid HW? Yes. Do I think head to head I'd definitely pick him over guys like Volkov or Pavlovich? No.

The thing is, I'll never convince anyone that wants to hold on to the nostalgia that some of the current guys who get referred to as "garbage" would actually hang just fine with some of the top ranked guys back then. I was around. I watched them. I trained for almost 6 years. I had a couple fights. I cornered guys. I am very confident that I know what I'm seeing and how to analyze fighters. But it doesn't matter. We can debate all night long, and we will never change each other's minds. And that's fine.

 

[mkess101]

Exactly lol Kharitonov beat Werdum, Arlovski, Reem and many others but I guess because he is no longer competing that the whole of his career or accomplishments are irrelevant don't matter, yes Curtis Blaydes is so much better how about Tuivasa.

None of which I said or even implied LOL. But yes you should keep spazzing out and asserting claims that aren't being made.

 

[TRYHARD 2001]

Sorry...I wasn't specifically referencing Fedor or Cro Cop when talking about Sergei. He's just a guy I remember watching that was fairly highly ranked. Was he a solid HW? Yes. Do I think head to head I'd definitely pick him over guys like Volkov or Pavlovich? No.

The thing is, I'll never convince anyone that wants to hold on to the nostalgia that some of the current guys who get referred to as "garbage" would actually hang just fine with some of the top ranked guys back then. I was around. I watched them. I trained for almost 6 years. I had a couple fights. I cornered guys. I am very confident that I know what I'm seeing and how to analyze fighters. But it doesn't matter. We can debate all night long, and we will never change each other's minds. And that's fine.

Fair enough. I honestly think Kharitonov's speed, power, and chin would lead to him beating the Russians mentioned, but I agree that Volkov is criminally underrated and Pav... meh, he's dangerous. The Sergei that arguably beat Big Nog in the HW GP would beat everyone at HW not named Jon Jones in my eyes too, but I admit I'm a Sergei nuthugger.

I was there too, I assure you, and I can confidently say the UFC HW division has been in a state of devolution for the past decade or so, with HW fighters seemingly forgetting how to freakin' grapple. There are notable exceptions, and the standouts from today would be competitive in any era of fighting, but the average skill level of the big men in the UFC has unquestionably dropped.

 

[HuskySamoan]

Aspinall did say it was a UFC fight, and Crocop became increasingly basic as his career went on for some reason. If you watch his old K-1 fights he's a more dynamic striker.

Yeah, I think like Fedor they burned out young. Cro Cop was a pretty established amateur boxer before K1, had close to 100 bouts, modeled at the Mediterranean games and won Croatian nationals, was in the military hardcore and then the very high level kickboxing career. Then the Pride run and eventually UFC. Meanwhile Aspinall has like 16 MMA fights lmao.